WordPress Membership Plugin: Free vs. Paid, Build a Membership Website

Build a Membership Website Using WordPress Membership Plugin

There are a many plugins available to convert your WordPress site into a full-fledged membership website. Some of the membership plugins are free, some you have to pay for. They all offer different functions and features so it can be quite time consuming choosing the right one. This article will help you narrow down your choices so you get the best WordPress membership plugin for your needs.

The first decision you have to make when starting a membership website is dependant upon your budget. Will you use a free WordPress membership plugin or buy one of the many premium WordPress membership plugin available?

Free WordPress Membership Plugins

Free WordPress membership plugins do not have all the bells and whistles the paid membership plugins do, but they can serve you well when you first set up shop. Many offer more features (upgrades) for a price. My main concern with the free WordPress membership plugins, is maintenance. WP is updated quite regularly and if the membership plugin is not updated concurrently, you could have problems. That having been said, there are a number of free membership plugins available on the Internet, and if this is your chosen route, sort through them and see if any have the features you want. Start with a search for membership in the WP plugins library.

Paid WordPress Membership Plugins

Paid membership plugins give you a lot more features over the free offerings, as you would expect. If you are considering using a free plugin first and then upgrading to the paid membership plugin, be careful, you may not be able to transfer your data easily.

When deciding which membership plugin fits you needs take careful note of any upgrade levels. Some membership plugins not only restrict the features available but also restrict you to using the plugin on one membership website, depending upon the license you choose. Adding additional features and multiple websites will require paying for an upgrade with such plugins.

My advice, take your time and shop around for the membership plugin that not only suits your current needs but your future requirements as well. Your final selection will probably be with you for many years.

Must Have Basic Membership Features

There are some features you should definitely look for when selecting a membership plugin. Most will come equipped with these features, but it is a good idea to check first to make sure. So your chosen membership plugin must have:

• The capacity to support any theme.
  You definitely do not want your membership plugin to restrict you to any particular theme or style.
• The ability to convert an existing blog to a membership website.
  Can you image the potential work involved in having to modify every page on your existing site. Definitely something you don’t’ want to be doing.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
• A secured content area.
  The general ideal of membership sites is that only members see particular content so you need a secured content area. If you are planning a subscription based membership website this is something you cannot do without.

Any membership plugin, free or paid, should include all of these features.

Nice to Have Membership Upgrades

These are some of the features that should be offered with paid upgrades and paid membership plugins.

• Integrates with your WordPress website.
  You chosen membership plugin should work with the other plugins you currently use and those you plan to use.
• Sequential time-release content delivery (drip-feed).
  For automated, timed content delivery the membership plugin needs to work with you chosen autoresponder.
• Automated paid membership access.
  When people subscribe to your membership site you want to the process to be automated. You don’t want to be forced into manually approving every applicant, especially paid members.
• Automated subscription cancellations.
  Although you don’t want to lose members, it’s always best to make the process painless for the member. This process should include any other offers you may have to stop them leaving.
• Automated for online payment systems, payment processor, payment gateway.
  For paid membership websites and sites with shopping carts you need a well known, reliable online payment processor One your members trust.
• Automated email using an autoresponder.
  Emails should be delivered relative to a members time zones. This is particularly important with timed content.
• Unlimited membership levels.
  Most membership sites require several membership levels, depending upon the status of the member, i.e. newbie, bronze, silver, gold, administrator, editor, etc.
• Shopping cart integration.
  If you plan to make money with you membership website it’s always a good idea to have shopping cart integration. If you already use a shopping cart make sure it works with your chosen membership plugin.
• 1-Click upsells / downsells.
  If your membership site has several membership levels, then you need to enable 1-click upsells and downsells so members can upgrade, downgrade and accept any offers automatically and easily.

Any membership plugin, free or paid, should include as many of these features as possible.

Membership Website Success Tips

Once you’ve decided to take the membership route, you don’t want to waste too much time learning how to install and use the software. Your focus needs to be firmly on content and membership issues, not plugin technical issues. When evaluating your selected membership plugins, if there is anything you feel you don’t like or don’t understand because of poor documentation, then don’t waste time, move on to the next membership plugin.

• Many membership website solutions have a free trial period or free trial version. Take advantage of this to learn how the software performs and the different methods of running a membership site.

WordPress Membership Website Installation

Luckily, both paid and free plugins should be easy to install thanks to the brilliant work done by WordPress. Installation should be no more than a few clicks of your mouse.

WordPress Membership Website Configuration

Configuring the membership plugin should be accomplished from the WP admin dashboard. You definitely don’t want to be messing about changing source code. So if there isn’t a nice, easy to use, user interface, try another plugin.

Support and Updates

Any WordPress membership plugin should be updated in line with WP and have a support system to back it up. Look for these before evaluating. If either is missing, next plugin. If you have any questions, particularly if purchasing a plugin; ask tech support before making your purchase. This will show you how good their support is, and how quickly they respond.

Alternate Solutions

You don’t have to use a WordPress membership website, there are other solutions. There are companies that offer external databases that can be integrated with WordPress. These are usually offered as an all-in-one solution that some find valuable.

These all-in-one solutions are not free and generally cost more than a WordPress membership plugin. Also they are not directly under your control. Many of these all-in-one solutions have some excellent features such as integrated payment gateways and integrated shopping carts. These all-in-one solutions can get you off to a fast start with your membership website if cost is not too much of an issue.

Membership Website Costs

Before deciding on a plugin and making a purchase you need to know whether it is a one-time purchase for the software or a recurring monthly payment. Recurring monthly payments can soon add up in the long term.

Build a Membership Website Using WordPress Membership Plugin Conclusion

Take your time, make notes and try to get the best membership software solution for both your current and future needs. It really is worth taking the time and trouble to set up your membership website the right way, first time.

This is an increasing market for online subscription and paid membership websites, especially for those in the educational sector. Through the use of a membership website you can invest in both your members and your business, whilst also seeing new subscribers and increase revenue month after month.

If you want to create a steady recurring income from your hobby, specialised knowledge, or profession, learn how to create a membership website and implement it as soon as possible.

• Allocate some time and resources to building your own subscription based website and you will see your income grow.

Well that’s all for now. You can find more information on membership software in my article, Top Membership Management Software and information on online payment systems for your membership site here.

Finally, if you have any thoughts or suggestions relating to building a membership website using WordPress don’t forget to let me have them in the comment box below. Thanks for dropping by.